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Don Booker MBE tests the revamped Suzuki Grand Vitara
For those who did not want to put their money on Land Rovers or Jeeps in the 4x4 world, they turned to the Suzuki Vitara, and that goes back 20 years.
The image of reliability that has been associated with Japanese-based products has again been proved with sales of the Vitara and Grand Vitara reaching 2.4 million and in the UK alone topping 161,700.
Suzuki, I feel, has been a shy part of the motoring world, providing excellent vehicles but, at times, not promoting them to their potential.
Now we have a new generation of the Grand Vitara, which during my tests in North Yorkshire was a very versatile 4x4 that answered all my demands in fine fashion both on the open country roads and on the Rudding Park Estate complicated off-road circuit.
It is a sports utility vehicle that offers more than ever before with a 2.4-litre petrol engine developed from the previous 2-litre unit. It develops 166bhp for the three-door version which goes up slightly to 166bhp for the five-door.
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It matches a smooth five-speed gearbox giving better acceleration through the permanent four-wheel-drive set up. Everything about this Vitara is smooth and quiet, the engine being helped by a plastic cylinder head cover.
Inside, the road and engine noise gets dampened by thicker glass.
Electronic stability control is standard and uses selective wheel braking and controls engine output as is necessary to stabilise the vehicle if it detects under steer or over steer situations. These could result in total loss of control.
The ESP also includes a traction control feature to prevent wheelspin during an ordinary start or a loss of grip during sharp acceleration.
The four-wheel-drive system can cope with most demands, but if things get really tough as they did in my trials, one can easily switch the transmission into low range, by turning a switch on the fascia. Smart and simple.
Both the exterior and interior have been given a mild facelift, the front getting a slight change with new door mirrors incorporating indicators. Inside there are touches of chrome and wood-effect trim that give a bit of luxury.
The fascia layout includes a multi-information display and the steering wheel-mounted switches are now illuminated for ease of use.
If you go for a five-door, there are wood trim inlays to the centre console, door arm rests and a special central speaker. In three or five door guise, there is plenty of passenger space and excellent driving position.
The prices start at £14,499 and are remarkable value-for-money vehicles.
Suzuki has taken 50 percent of the market in India and sales are increasing in the UK. Have you noticed how many of their Swifts are about?
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